20-Minute Greek Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce

20-Minute Greek Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce

Serves: 4 people
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
20-Minute Greek Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce

Ingredients

Gyros Meat:
  • 1/2 lb.lean ground lamb
  • 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
  • 4 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice powder
  • 1/4 cup grated onions (squeezed to remove liquid)
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon salt + 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Tzatziki Sauce:
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic, grated
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dill weed
To Serve:
  • Pita bread, sliced onions, tomatoes, shredded lettuce

Instructions

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Greek gyros are oh so yummy, but who really knows how to make them properly at home? Doesn’t that require some Olympian feat, some sort of other-worldly technology revealed only to the Greeks and kept secret since Ancient days? Not exactly, no. This recipe is a relatively easy spin on the Greek classic, and should only take twenty minutes or so. Ready to take a dinner journey to the best neighborhood gyro cart in New York City?

Let’s do this. The two main components of this dish are meat and sauce. The pita bread and fixings are essentially effortless. You will need equal amounts of ground beef and ground lamb, about half a pound should do. Garlic, all spice, onions, salt and pepper; and you’re ready to get to shaping the patties. Mix everything listed above in a large bowl, and shape either twelve small, or six to eight larger, patties and set them aside.

The sauce is easy. Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and dill (you can also add cucumber for a more traditional taste)—salt and pepper to taste. Now to cook. Add some oil to a large skillet and cook the patties for five minutes or so. You will need to decide the cook! Rare, medium rare, medium well, etc. You’re basically ready! Warm up the pita bread, prepare some lettuce, tomato, and onion, and spoon in the sauce. Perhaps a new addition to the sandwich lover’s repertory? It should go over well with the whole family. Fit for the gods.

  1. In a large bowl combine the ground lamb, beef, garlic, all spice powder, onions, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine. Shape the meat into 12 small patties. Alternately, you could just shape them into 4-5 larger ones. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the tzatziki sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside for serving.
  3. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and fry the patties for 3-4 minutes and 6 minutes or until they are cooked to desired doneness.
  4. Warm the pita bread, layer with meat patties, sliced onions, tomatoes, and lettuce. Top with tzatziki sauce and serve immediately.